Functional characteristics of optimized arterial tree models perfusing volumes of different thickness and shape

Author(s)
Rudolf Karch, Friederike Neumann, Martin Neumann, Wolfgang Schreiner
Abstract

The relationship between the 'shape of an organ' and the 'cost of blood transport' to perfuse its tissue was evaluated on the basis of optimized arterial model trees simulated to perfuse square-based 100-cm3 volumes of different shape ('flat' versus 'thick' as defined by the ratio of thickness to side-length h/s = 1). Specifically, the effects of 'shape' on tree structure, blood transport, and on hemodynamic characteristics were investigated. Branching models of arterial trees were generated by constrained constructive optimization (CCO), based on an identical set of model parameters. All model trees were geometrically and topologically optimized for intravascular volume. Tree structures achieved tremendous savings of blood (transport medium) in comparison to a system of separate tubes. Thickening the perfusion volume (increasing h/s) resulted in a significant decrease of mean transport length, deposition time, and intravascular total volume in the tree. 'Thick' perfusion volumes induced CCO trees to branch more symmetrically into a number of equivalent subtrees repetitiously splitting into smaller ones; 'flat' structures were dominated throughout by a few asymmetrically branching major vessels. In summary, we conclude from systematic variation of shape that thicker perfusion volumes (h/s > 0.1) facilitate efficient delivery of blood in comparison to large amounts of 'dead volume' to be carried over long distances in very thin pieces of tissue. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Organisation(s)
Computational and Soft Matter Physics, Research Group Workflow Systems and Technology
External organisation(s)
Medizinische Universität Wien
Journal
Journal of Vascular Research
Volume
37
Pages
250-264
No. of pages
15
ISSN
1018-1172
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1159/000025739
Publication date
2000
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
1030 Physics, Astronomy
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/functional-characteristics-of-optimized-arterial-tree-models-perfusing-volumes-of-different-thickness-and-shape(12138a66-4b53-44e1-ad18-fb3b0d88b22c).html